In a surprise move, the US government has announced plans to allow Venezuela to pay for the defense of President Nicolas Maduro's lawyer, who is facing charges related to a major international cocaine trafficking operation. The decision marks a significant shift in the US stance on Venezuela, which has been under heavy sanctions for years due to its authoritarian government and alleged ties to organized crime. The US Department of Justice has been investigating the lawyer, Alex Saab, for allegedly facilitating the smuggling of millions of dollars' worth of cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico and the US. The move has sparked concern among some lawmakers and anti-corruption groups, who fear it may be a sign of softening on Venezuela's government.
US to let Venezuela pay Maduro's lawyer in drug trafficking case Reuters
